Apparatus for electroplating.



G. L. MBAKER.

APPARATUS FOR ELEGTROPLATING.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 20, 1907.

G. L. MEAKER. APPARATUS POB. ELEGTROPLATING.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 2o, 1907.

91 3,747. Patented Mar. 2, 1909. l u. 5 fi f 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. L. MEAKER.

APPARATUS FOR ELEGTROPLATING.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 20, 1907.

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. L. MBAKBR. APPARATUS FOR BLEGTROPLATING.

APPL IGATION FILED NOV. 20, 1907.

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wiz?

UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

GUY L. MEAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I O THE MEAKER COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO,

' ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

I -Speecation of Letters Patent.

Patented March 2, 1999.

Application flied November 20, 1907. Serial No. 402,999.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY L. MEAKER, a citizen of the'United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain. new and usefuI Improvements in Apparatus for Electroplating; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 'lhis invention relates to that class of electro plating apparatus set forth in my prior patent issued on the 13th day of March, 1906, No. 815,027'. ,Y

The object of the invention is to provide a plating apparatus through which articles to )e electro plated are continuo usly passed during the process of plating, and which affords means for rotating or turning the articles during plating to direct every portion thereof toward the anodes and to prevent uneven plating.

' It i' also an object of the invention to afford a supporting tray which serves as the cathode e ement, the bottom of which is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting conducting points with which the articles to bc plated contant in traveling through the apparatus.

j I It is further an important object of the invention to afford an inclined cathode support for the articles to be plated and means or jarring and reciprocating the same whereby the articles supported thereon are intermittcntly moved toward the point of dis-y chargeand to provide at said point of discharge suitable mechanism for delivering said articles from the apparatus.

It is an important object of the invention to provide means for supporting the anode l elements in the electrolyte whereby any anode or anodes may beswung out of the path or submerged therein, as preferred, to vary the anode surface to suit the requirements of the most economical and eective use of current and materials and to irovide also in connection with said ano es, supporting bars, adapted to afford suitable contacts with complemental members connected with the source of current. to insure maximum etliciency of the current.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a cathode supportfor the articles during plating which serves to distribute the saine over a large surface but economizes in current and material by restricting the eX- posed cathode surface.

The invention consists of the matteis hereinafter described and more full pointed out and defined in the. appended c aims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a device embod in m invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinafrsi e e evation thereof. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3*?, of Fig. 1 with parts omitted. Fi 4 is a 'section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 wit i parts omitted. Fig. 5 is an enlarge fragmentary top plan view o f the tray and supporting means therefor. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the tray and its support. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary seetlon of the elevator belt and a bucket thereon. Fig, 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of one of the supporting bars for the anodes. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation illus-rating one of the knife contacts of one of said anode supporting bars with the conductor. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail of the bearing pieces whereon the tray is sup orted on the shaft B. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are etails of one embodiment of my invention.

In said drawings: A indicates a tank for the electrolyte. Said'tank may of course be of any suitable size, form or materia-l, but as shown, is an elongated rectangular trough constructed of wood or any material not adapted to injuriously aii'ect or be affected by the electrolyte. B indicates a transverse shaft or rod extending through the lsides of said tank somewhat above the bottom and affording connection for one of the conductors from the generator B or other source of current. Slidably supported near its lower or discharge end on said shaft B is a frame C comprising parallel side rails c and an u )per end rail c. Extending transverse y beneath and connecting said side rails c, are bars c2, which are rigidly bolted through the side rails c, as shown in Fi s. 2,

comprising a sheet or nlate of suitable metal.

Resting in said frame and upon said con ductors c, is a tray D, comprising as shownl end with a driving pulley e2,

bottom may be used and stra 's or bars of metal inserted in its upper su ace and connected with the conductors. Said tray is rigidly secured to the side members c of the frame by means of lates d5, which are bolted to the rails c an engage over the side members d of the tray. lThe forward or receiving end of said frame and tray are supported at an elevation above the discharge end. For this purpose as shown, a bracket E is rigidly secured u on each of the side Walls vof the tank at t e front end thereof and at its u per part affords bearings for a transverse s aft e, on jar bars E one for each side of the frame C. Rigidly secured on the forward end of said frame approximately in alinement with the side ra' s c, are forwardly projecting arms or brackets c4, through the forwardly rojecting ends of which extends a sha t e which also extends through the lower ends of the jar bars, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

Journaled transversely, on the rear sides` of the brackets E,- at the top of the tank is a driving shaft E2 which is provided at one ada ted for engagement by a suitable driving elt and at its opposite end with a suitable pulley or sprocket wheel (in this instance shown as a grooved pulley), e3, adapted to drive an elevator to deliver the plated articles from the machine. Rigidly secured on said driving shaft E2 are cams e4 one opposite each jar bar as the driving shaft rotates drawing the frame and tray forwardly, and is shaped t0 affrd a quick release at the forward limit of movement of the jar bar.

pose the opposite or release side for said cam projection is abrupt, and to further effect quick release, the lower rear side of each jar bar is cutaway just below the point of contact with said cam so that when pressed forwardly to mediate and complete release follows, ermitting the. jar bars withA the attac ed frame and tray to swing longitudinally the tank. As shown a shaft F, extends transversely through the tank'and secured there- .on are strong pulling springs f, attached at their ends respectively to the jar bars and to said shaft and:` which act to snap the frame and tra toward the rear after each -slow forwar movement. Pivotally engaged on said shaft F is the receiving which are journaled Y For this pureits limit .of travel, im-

chute f the upper end of which rests on the periphery of said cams and end thereof rejects over the tray and tapers to slightly ess than the width of the tray to insurethe delivery of the artichs to bc plated across the entire width of the tray. As shown a strong ulling spring 3 is secured on the end of) said chut-e above the cams and extends obliquely downward and is attached to the end of the tank as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thus holding the upper end of the chute firmly on the cams. Said cams act to rock said chute on its shaft F, and as the projections 65,' on the cams pass from beneath the chute the s ring f 21, pulls the end thereof down upon 't 1e cams constantly jarring the chute and into the tray.

vRigidly secured on the under side of the frame C are metallic shoes e which b`ear on the shaft B and are of a length to erniit vthe longitudinal reciprocation of the lframe and tray before described and are conveniently provided at their front ends with hooks c' which extend beneath the shaft B. .But-ting blocks G are bolted one on each side of the tank and projecting inwardly into vposition to afford stops for the frame and tray at the rearward limit of movement. The frame rails c are each provided with a stop g bolted y. on its rear end in position to abut the butting block G at the rearward limit of movement to suddenly stop the frame and tray when snapped back by the springs.

Journaled in suitable brackets H on the rear end of the tank is a shaft 71, having on its outer end a grooved pulley 7L', adapted to receive the driving line or belt h2, trained around the grooved pulley e3 on the driving shaft E2. Journaled transversely in the tank near the bottom thereof and parallel the shafts h is a shaft H', and trained about said shafts h and H is a conveyeil belt v" having buckets -h4 rigidly secured thereon by riveting or other suitable means. Each of permit the escape of the electrolyte and may suitable material.

' Journaled on the shaft B is a discharge chute I, at the inner or receiving end of which is which extends around the bottom and sides thereof and is apertured to receive and pi otally engage on said shaft B. The discharge end of said chute I extends into position to be successively engaged by the buckets 7L, on the elevator. As the elevator is slowly driven by the belt 71.2 the discharge end of said chute is slowly lifted until the chute is abbut horizontal at which point it slips ofi' the bucket and falls until engaged to be again lifted by the nextsucceeding bucket,

e constructed of sheet metal, iiber or any.

thereby jarring its contents into the buckets is ,somewhat j wider than the frame and tray. The lower spilling the contents y said buckets is'perforated in its'bottom to I rovided as shown a strap of` metal a,

of the elevator' from whence they are of course delivered from the tank.

As shown. 'conducting cables B are secured on said conducting shaft B and are elect ricaii \V connected with the metallic conductor c; in the frame or if desired, may be connected immediately with the metallic bottom of the tray.

lllxtending longitudinally along the top of the tank on one of the side walls is a conductor l?, and as shownI consisting of a flat strap or plate of metal and hinged on one of said side walls` are supporting bars K'for the. anode-s. 'l`h se as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are bars of wood or any suitable material cach ha\ on the. under side thereof a bus bar conn o isinor a strap of suitable conducting umterial /.r which rests on the strap 7c, ad jacent the. hinge, and at the opposite side of the tank rests on a similar conductor k2. Said conductors le Acl are electrically connected by means of a bus bar lf3 which eX- lends aci-oss the tank and with which one of the leads `irom the sourec of current is connected. Suitable bolts k* -extond through said bar l and bus bars 7c and rigidly enen ed thereto at th i lower ends thereof transversely the cathode. tray are the :modes K', which may be cfa-ny desired number :1nd are conveniently of the metal it is desired to plate u )on the articles treated. Said supporting bolts kare progressively longer toward the rear end of the tank so that said an'odes are all supported at the same distance above the tray.

From the construction described it is obvious that any of said supporting bars K with its anode K may be swung upwardly out of the electrolyte for adjustment or renewal of the anode or to reduce the plating` surface and control the current density. This of course, breaks the circuit through such aus bars without disturbing the :other anodes or interfering with the operation of the apparatus and affords an important means for regulating the operation. To insure a perfect contact whenf'in operation the construction shown in`Figs. 8 and 9 is desirable. lion this the free endl of said bar K is provided with a meta'llic contact piece l5 rig-idly bolted thereto and flanged under the saine ro engage the 'bus bar sand provided with a v;1'itx idinally extending vertically set web or knife 7c. This engages wedgingly between contact plates kl which are integrally connect-sid with a base member k bolted or otherwise :secured to the conductor k2.

The operation is as follows: Sufficient of the electrolyte having been place in the tank A to submcrge the tray and the anodes, the articles to be plated are delivered into the tray slowly by means of a chute f and the current .is turned on, and the driving shaft Aactuated from any suitable source of power. The rotation of said shaft with itscams' serves successively to elevate and to drop the forward ond of the chute upon the cam, the spring, ofcourse, pul ing the end down with considerable force upoirthe lower portion of the cam and jarring the. articles into the tray. The cams also press the jar bars forwardly until the projection e5 passes the contact points on the jar bars'V wheteupon the springs f pull the jar bars with the frame and tray su ported thereon rearwardly of the tank witii some violence until stopped abruptly, thus tending to jar and deliver or roll the larticles within said tray toward thc lower or discharge end thereof. To facilitate the rollingr movement of said articles the bottom of said tray is arranged in successive ste )s or ledges as shown in Fig. 2 and the metalic contacts whether ins or strips are so disposed that the articles being treated are at all times in contact with one or more thereof. The elevator is driven continuously from the driving shaft and as the articles plated successively fall into the chute l, they are movcrl rearwardly. into the buckets by the movement of said chute, the rear end of which is raised slowly on ont` elevator' bucket to 'a proximately horizontal position when the )ucket passes from' beneath the same permitting the end of the chute to drop upon the next bucket, and below horizontal, thus jarring thc articles rearwardly on said chute and into theelevator.

Of course, overlapping: metallic plates D" of cop er or other suitable metal either with or without its surface covered or partly covcred With insulating material, may be elnployed for the bottom4 of the tray and in either case after the cathode surface or sur- 'faces have accumulated a considerable coating of the plating metal the cathodes may be rmovedand fresh plates substituted and the plates so coated or partly coated may be utilized as anodes untll the surplus material has plated ofi", as shown in- Figs. 11 to 13. rlhe plates if so used, are of course yrovided with an aperture at each end whic is covered by the side rails d of the'tray when used as cathodes but which receive the supportinfr rods 'c when used as anodes. ln this way all the .plating metal is utilized and in convenience and loss from the accumulation of the lating metal upon the cathode-s is avoidedp.

The anodes in the construction described are ca able of boing removed independently from t e electrolyte and any or all of the same may be swung upwardly, each bus bar breaking the circuit for its anode, when, lifted. This enables the plating surface and current density to be at all times perfectly controlled and together with the construction of the cathode elements greatly econoy ing a tank to contain the e may be varied withoutI departing from the principles of this' invention. Itherefore do not purpose limiting this applicatlo-n for patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. f'

I claim as my invention:

l. An electro plating, apparatus embracing a tank to contain the e ectrolyte, a cathode element. therein consistin of a tray for supplorting the articles to be p ated and open at t e discharge end, mechanism for vibratingA the tray and a butting block against which the tray strikes at one limit of movement.

2. An electro plating a paratus embracejctrolyte, a cathode element therein consistin of a tray for sup orting the articles-to be p ated and open at t e discharge end, mechanism for vibrating the trai and a butting block rigidly secured to t e tank and against which the tray strikes at one limit of movement.

3. 'An electro platin ap aratus embracing a tank to contain t e e ectrolyte, an inclined open ended tray for supporting the articles to be plated, a bottom therefor of conducting material affording the cathode element, mechanism for vibrating thel tray longitudinally of the tank and a rigidly secured butting block against which the open or discharge end of the tray strikes at one limit of movement. y

4. An electro plating apparatus embracing a tank to contain t e electrolyte, a source of current, a submerged tray inclined toward its open discharge end, a downwardly stepped conducting bottom for said tray electrically connected with the source of current and affording the cathode element, means vibrating and jarring said tray to move its contents to discharge position, anodes connected with the source of current, an open ended discharge chute supported to swing vertically at its discharge end, an elevator` positioned-to actuate the discharge chute and to receive the plated articles therefrom, and means actuating the same.

5. An electro plating a paratus comprising a tank to contain the e ectrolyte, a source of current,a tray inclined toward and open at its discharge end, a downwardly stepped conducting cathode bottom for said tray, means jarring said tray, anodes connected with the source of current and supported above the tray' in the electrolyte, a discharge chute supported to receive the plated articles from the tray and to swing at its discharge end, and means adal ted to actuate the chute and to deliver tie plated articles from the tank. 6. An'electro plating a mg a tank to contain the e ectrolyte, a source of current, a tray inclined toward and pen at its discharge end, and extending longitudinally in sald tank, a downwardly stepped :plated articles from Isupported anode elements normally sub- 'merged in the electrolyte at a uniform disy.: cles therefrom, Aa paratus comprisconducting bottom for said tray connected with'tlie source of current, means reci rocating said tray in the tank toafford s ow forward movement and faster rearward movement, albutting'block adapted to abruptly stop the tray at one limit of its movement, anodes connected with the source of current and supported above the tray, an open ended discharge chute supported to swing vertically at its discharge end, an elevator positioned to actuate the chute and receive the plated articles therefrom and means actuating the elevator.

7. An electro plating a paratus comprising a tank to contain the e ectrolyte, a source of current, an open ended cathode tray for supporting the articles to be plated, a vibrating chute supported at the receiving end of the tray to distribute the articles to be plated therein, an open ended vibrating chute at the roar or discharge end'of the cathode tray-to receive the plated articles therefrom, an

elevator adapted to. vibrate said discharge chute and acting to deliver the plated articles from the tank, independently su ported anode elements adapted to be su merged in the electrolyte, means vibrating said tray to deliver the articles to be plated alon the same and means adapted to `abrupt y arrest the vibrations to accelerate the travel of the` articles on the' tray.

8. An electro plating a paratus comprising a tank containing an ,e ectrolyte, a source of current, a cathode tray for isupportin the articles to be plated and having a disc arge opening and connected in thecurrent, a vibrating chute sup orted at the receiving end of the tray to diistribute the ,articles to be plated therein, an open `:nded vibrating Ichute supported' to receive the plated articlesfrom the tray, means adapted to vibrate said discharge chuteanddeliver the the tank, independently tance above the tray, each hinged to swing -upwardly out of the electrolyte.

9. electro plating apparatus comprising aftank to contain an electrolyte, a source of current, an open ended cathode tray for supporting the articles to be plated and connected with said source of current, an inclined vibrating chute supported at the receiving end of the tray to distribute the articles to be platedtherein, means actuating said chute and said tray, an open ended vibrating chute at the rear or discharge end of the cathode tray.to receive the plated artibucket elevator adapted to vibrate said discharge chute to deliver the plated articles from the chute intopit's buckets, anode elements supported independently in the electrolyte ata uniform distance from the tray and connected with the other lead in the electrolyte and4 from said source of current and means acting to abruptly arrest the movement of the tray at the rearward limit of its travel. j'

10. An electro platingv apparatus embracinn` a tank containing anelectrolyte, a source or current, a cathode element adapted tc support the articles to be plated, anode elements embracing bus bars hinged at one side of the tank, an anode rigidly but detachably secured to each, a conductor on one side of thetank connected with the other lead from the source of current and adapted to be engaged by the bus bars when the anodes are submerged in tiie electrolyte.

11. An electro plating apparatus embracing a tank to contain the electrolyte, a source of'eurrent, a cathode element connected with -one lead from said source and adapted to support the articles to be plated, bus bars hinged at one side of the tank, an anode ri 'dly secured to each, a conductor at one si e of the tank adapted to be engaged by the bus bars when the anodes are submerged in the electrolyte and connected with the other lead from said source and means mechanically actuating the articles tol be plated through and out of the apparatus.

12. An electro plating apparatus embracing a tank to contain an electrolyte, a source of current, a tray, sectional stepped bottom in said tray affording metallic surfaces comprising the cathode elements 'and adapted to support the articles to be plated, bus bars pivotally secured at one side of the tank, an anode rigidly secured to each, a conductor on one side ofthe tank adapted to be engaged by the bus bars when the anodes are submerged in the electrolyte and leads from .the source 'of current connected with said cathodek elements and with the conductorV to the bus bars and means jarring the tray.

13. In an electro-plating apparatus a movably supported cathode tray embracing side and end members, a sectional bottom and'stri of conducting material extending longitu inally of the bottom and electrically connected therewith.

14. In an electro-plating apparatus a cathode tray embracing a sectional bottom comprising independently removable sheets of conducting material and said sheets overlapped formiiig a stepped bottom.

15. In an electro plating ap aratus4 a cathode tray embracing side mem ers and a front-end rail, a sectional bottom secured to lsaid side members and end rail and embraciii metallic sheets, upwardly projecting met 'c conductors engaged thereon and nonconductinfr materialcoveriiig each sheet and through wtliich said studs proj-ect.

16. In an eleetroplajting' apparatus a cathode tray having a sectional bottom, having a large supporting area relative its conducting area..

1,7. In anele'ctro plating apparatus a cathode tray having a sectional bottom having a large supporting area relative its conducting area and means jarring the tray to deliver the articles therefrom when plated.

18. In an electro plating apparatus a v.Y brating cathode tray embracing a frame of non-conducting material open at the rear end and sup orted to incline toward said open rear en conducting plates supported on the frame a roximately horizontally to al'ord a steppe ottoni for said tray mechanisms for vibrating and for jarring said tray and pivotedmeans adapted to receive the articles from said tray.

19. In an electro plating apparatus a vibrating cathode tray to support the articles to be,plated embracing@ traine of non-conductin material open at and inclining toward t ie rear end, independently removable conducting plates secuied on said frame-approximately horizontally to aHord astepped bottomfor said tray, a mechanism adapted to swing said tray slowly forward and iapidly rearwardly toward its open end and means abruptly arresting such rearward movement thereby actin f to roll the articles supported in the tray a ong and from the same.

20. In an electro plating apparatus a vibrating cathode tray embracing a frame of non-conducting material' o en at the rear end and sup orted to inc ine toward said end, indepen ently removable cathode elements supported approximately horizontally ,on said frame, to afford a ste ped bottom for said tray, mechanism a apted to swing said tray slowly in one direction and rapidly in another and a butting block positioned to jar the tray the'reby acting to roll the articles supported in the tray toward the discharge position.

21. In a deviceA of the class described the combination with a cathode element for'supporting the articles to be plated of a chute supported to receive said articles therefrom, and ivoted near its end below said tray, a positively driven bucket elevator positioned to engage with successive buckets, the discharge end of the chute to successively lift the saine to horizontal and to release to drop the same below horizontal thereby jarring the plated articles into the buckets;l

22. In a device of the class described the combination with a cathode element for supporting the articles to .he plated of a chute supported to receive said articles therefrom and pivoted below said cathode and positively driven mechanism adapted to swing said chute to successively lift the saine to horizontal and drop the saine below horizontal and acting to deliver the plated articles from the machine.'

\.2.`In a device of/tlie class described the combination with the tank for containing the electrolyte, of a source of current, a cathode element connected with one lead therefrom, a conductor disposed on one side of the tank and connected with the other lead from the source of current, aplurality of busl Y hinged above the same and adapted inde- .-pendently to be swung out oi circuit.

25. vAn electro plating mechanism embracing `a cathode tray aording a large Y supporting surface of non-conducting material, conducting contact pieces disposed over said surface to transmit current to the articles in the tray and independently movable anode elements adapted to be swung singly out of circuit.

26. In a machine ofthe class described a reciprocating cathode tray, means for delivering the articles to be plated thereon, mechanism for actuating said means. inde- :pendentlyof the tray and means connected with the delivery means at the rear end thereof to aid in jarring said delivei means. 27. In a machine of the class escribed means for supporting articles to be plated,v

mechanisnrfor actuating the same toad- `vance said articles, means for delivering articles upon the supporting means, mechanism for elevating and depressing one end of said delivering meansto jar the articles uien the sup orting means and a s rin ai apted t0 aidp in depressing the end oi sai delivering means.v

2S. In a plating machine a reciprocating tray, osclllating means for delivering articles upon the tray, mechanism for elevating one end of the delivering means, means for. depressing said end ofthe delivering means and mechanism foractuating the tray to advance the articles therealong..

29. In a plating machine a cathode tray,-

means adapted to deliver articles thereto, mechanism for actuating said means to deliver articles upon the tray 'and actuating the trayto advance the articles therein after .each delivery and means coacting with the` aforesaid actuating mechanism' for operating the delivering means.A

30. In a machine for plating -articles a s u porting cathode element for intermittent y I. adyancinghsaid articles, means for intermiterrlngthe articles upon said supjtently Ade porting element and coacting mechanisms,

one for elevating the delivering means and the other for uickly depressing the same for actuating sai the articles to the cathode element prior to each advancement of the articles upon the cathode element.

A31. In a machine of the class described a cathode element movable to advance articles therealong, means for deliverin articles upon said cathode element while sai element is at rest and a receiving tray pivoted at the delivery end of the cathode element.

32. In a device of the class described a cathode element for supporting articles and movable to advance said articles, means movable independently of said cathode eledelivering means to deliver ment for delivering the articles to the cathode element, means for limiting the rearward movement of the cathode element and means pivotally supportedto receive the plated articles from the cathode element.

33. In a machine of the class described' a reciprocating, vibrating cathode element for supporting and advancing articles to be plated, an oscillating device for delivering -articles thereto and. an oscillating device for receiving the `articles from the cathode element. v

34. In a machine of the class described a reciprocating,vibrating cathode element for supporting and advancing articles to `be plated, an oscillating devicefor delivering articles thereto, an oscillating device for receiving the articles from the cathode element and mechanism adapted to oscillate said receivinfr device for automatically removing -the p ated articles therefrom.

35. In a device of the class described a tray for supporting and advancing articles to be lated, and anfoscillating device at each end thereof, one to deliver the articles upon the tray andthe other to receive the articles from the tray.

36. In an electric lating machine of the class described a tan a reciprocating cathode tray therein for supporting articles, means for actuating the tray to roll the articles therealong and constantly eX osing diierent faces of the articles, buckets or automatically delivering the articles from the machine and permitting the electrolyte to returnto said tank and mechanism actuated by each bucket to delivera quantity of articles to the next succeeding bucket.

37. In an electro-plating machine a tank, a tray therein for supporting articles, means for rolling the articles therealong, means for delivering the articles-from the tank and means interposed between the tray and delivering means and automatically actuated to conveythe articles from the tray to the delivering means.

38. In an electroplatin machine a cathode tray, a pivoted elemen or receiving articles l en ' mit the electrolyte therefrom and an elevator comprising buckets, each bucket adapted to swing the said element on its pivot to fill the same With a'rticles and each bucket a ertured to permit .the electrolyte draining therefrom.

39. In an electro-platin machine the combination with the tank or containing the electrolyte of mechanism for plating the articles in said tank and means for delivering the'articles from the tank apertured to pertank.

40. In a machine of the class described the combination with' a tank for containing the electrolyte, a cathode element immersedin the electrolyte,and anode elements attached to the tank and adapted each to be immersed in the electrolyte or adjusted out of the electrolyte.

41. Ina machine of the class described the combination with a tank for containing the electrolyte, a cathode element immersed in the electrolyte, anode elements attached to the tank and adapted each to be immersed in the electrolyte or adjusted out of the electrolyte, a pivoted chute above the cathode element and mechanism adapted to vibrate the same and thecathode element.

4:2. In a machine of the class described a tank for holding the electrolyte, a cathode element immersed in said tank, supporting bars ivoted to the tank andanode elements rigid y secured to said bars and adapted to be removed therefrom. l,

43. In a machine of the class described a tank for holding the electrolyte, a cathode element immersed in said tank, `anode elements pivoted to the tank adapted to beadjusted .into or out of said tank, means for automatically delivering articles to be plated upon the cathode element, and'nieans pivoted at the end of the cathode element to receive the articles therefrom.

44. In a machine of the class described a tank for holdingthe electrolyte, a cathode element immersed in said tank, anode elements pivoted to the tank adapted to be adl justed into or out of said tank, means for automatically delivering articles to be plated upon the cathode element', means pivoted at the end oi the cathode element to receive the articles therefrom, electric cables connected 1 with the cathode element and electrically connected with a source of electric supply and means adapted to connect all of the draining back into the anode elements in the tank with said source of electric supply.

45. In an e ectro-plating machine a 'tank for the electrolyte, an iiclined cathode tray theeW/having an electrically conducting stepped bottom, independent anode elements pivotally supported to swin into the tank and each os1t1oned an equa distance from the catho e tray when in the tank.

46. In an electro-plating machine a tank for the electrolyte, an inclmed cathode tray therein having an electrically conducting stepped bottom, independent anode elements pivotally supported to swing into the tank, each'positioned an equaLdistance from the cathode tray when Ain the tank, means electrically c onnectin the cathode With a source of electric supp and a strip of electrically conducting metal secured to the tank adapted to supply current to each anode element when ad'usted into the tank.

47. In an e ectro-plating machine a tank for containing the electrolyte, a cathode elel ment in the tank for supporting and advanc- `ing the articles to be lated, an electrically conducting bar secure to each side member of the tank, a conductor connecting said bars, insulating bars each pivoted at one end to one of the side members of the tank, anodes secured thereto of plating metal and a bar of conductin@r metal secured to each insulating bar in position to contact said bars secured to the top of the side members and elec-` trically connected with the respective anode. 48. In a machine for plating metal a cathode element having a bottom of insulating material and electrically conducting elements projecting through said insulating bottom.

49. In a machine for plating with metal a cathode element comprlsing side members, an insulatin sheet below t 1e insulating sheet, conducting points extending through the insulating bottrically connected with the conducting sheet, and means connecting the conducting sheet l with a source of electrical supply.

i In testimony whereofl I have hereunto subl scribed my name in the presence of two subi scribing Witnesses. GUY L. MEAKER.'

Vitnesses:

la. E. HANNAH, LAWRENCE RmBs'rEIN.

bottom sheet, a conducting tom at suitable distances apart and elec 

